Updates from The Stress Experts

I Stopped Following My Own Advice

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 20:24:53 CDT

I recently realized that I had stopped following my own advice.

I have had a pretty busy year so far - expos, workshops, conferences, photography and editing for a friend’s wedding, with a nearly-full client load.

Since the beginning of the year, I have had my internal throttle set on high - “pedal to the metal” so to speak. I’ve been pushing myself to complete one task to make room for another, planning ahead, and trying to balance the load of several projects at once because their event dates were close together.

Every day for months, my first thought was, “What do I need to get done today?”

And my second thought was, “How can I squeeze that in between my scheduled clients?”

I felt constant internal pressure, not only from the deadlines, but from my own desire to do more than just a good job. I wanted everything to be exceptional. The pressure followed me into the evenings and weekends.

And then, quite suddenly, my schedule cleared up (other than still seeing my one-on-one clients).

But the internal pressure continued...

Your Most Important Responsibility

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 20:16:04 CDT

The world can feel heavy at times, there’s no doubt about that. Whether it's challenging news, concerns about the future, pressures at work, or responsibilities at home, many people find themselves carrying an increased emotional load.

We spend energy every day. We care for our families and friends, meet deadlines, solve problems, and try to keep up with the demands of life. While much of this is meaningful, it also draws on the very resource that many people forget to monitor - their own inner battery...

No Wonder You're Overwhelmed

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:49:00 CDT

I am subscribed to receive emails from HeartMind Institute, a transformational education platform dedicated to helping individuals step into their fullest, most heart-centered expression of life. They offer virtual summits, online courses, and a supportive community.

One email I received has stayed with me. Not because it offered a new technique or strategy, but because it highlighted the sheer volume of what modern humans are being asked to carry every day.

As I read it, I found myself thinking, "No wonder so many people feel overwhelmed."

I want to share it with you because I think it helps explain why you may be feeling exhausted, overloaded, reactive, or like you're barely keeping up. Sometimes understanding the load we're carrying can be just as important as learning how to carry it.

Here it is...

...But I Had a Good Childhood

Mon, 18 May 2026 10:43:00 CDT

“…But I had a good childhood.”

That’s what I hear many of my clients say.

I had a good childhood, too, and yet…

My parents did the best they could AND my needs weren’t met. Both can be true at the same time.

I am number 8 in a family of 9 children, with parents who...

3 Ways We Try to Control Stress

Wed, 13 May 2026 11:35:11 CDT

In the last blog, I wrote about they ways we try to use thinking to work through our stress - positive thinking, talking yourself out of your feelings, over analyzing/over understanding, reframing, self-coaching, and looping thoughts.

But not everyone tries to control stress by thinking more.

Some people try doing more. At first glance, these behaviours may not look like a stress response, but underneath them is a nervous system trying to feel safe. They are strategies we use to try to “fix” stress...

Stress Isn’t a Thinking Problem

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:37:06 CDT

From what I have seen, when people think of stress, they think of mental health. When they think of "mental" health they assume "thinking".

They follow this line of logic:

Stress → mental health → thinking → “I should be able to fix this with my mind.”

Here are some strategies we typically use to try to fix stress with our mind...

Why Your Thoughts Keep Looping (and How to Stop Them)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:35:00 CDT

Many of my clients have looping thoughts.

Thoughts that are on repeat.

They aren’t pleasant to have.

The thoughts might be about them (“I’m such a loser”),

They might be about the past (“I shouldn’t have done that”),

or about the future (“What will they think of me?”).

Before coming to see me...

Do People Change?

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 21:05:00 CDT

I recently had a conversation with a man. He was frustrated as he explained to me the issues he was having in a relationship with another person.

“People don’t change,” was his conclusion.

This line stuck with me. It wasn’t the first time I had heard the phrase, but it was the first time I had paused to think about the truth of it.

Was he right?

Do people change?

I believe that people can change. They have the capability of changing, yes. They can adapt and grow.

Do they change? That’s a different question.

Stop Choosing Between "On" and "Off"

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 20:13:46 CDT

I recently had the pleasure of presenting to a group of CEOs of mid-sized companies in the area. We talked about stress and the nervous system, emotions and tools to regulate stress. One of the participants said, “I can’t be content because nothing would get done.” Another one said, “If I’m not constantly on, I’m bored."

Through our discussions, I realized that they, like many people from all walks of life, had come to mistakenly believe that they only have 2 options:

Why I Am No Longer Saying "Conquer Stress"

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:16:00 CDT

While preparing for the Wellness Expo I exhibited and spoke at in February 2026, I found more clarity in what I do, what I offer, and how I help people.

Because of this newfound clarity, I am making some subtle but significant changes in my business. One change that I want to share with you is the way I sign off on these blogs. I used to say, “Here’s to conquering stress.” And I’m not anymore. Here’s why...